Khaman

Maluach

Maluach has recorded a double-double in each of Phoenix’s first three games in Las Vegas, with Monday’s being the best of the bunch. Not only did he shoot 50 percent from the field and grab 10 rebounds, but the second-year center also blocked four shots. With the Suns re-signing Mark Williams, one would assume that he’ll be the starter. However, Maluach may be given every opportunity to compete with Oso Ighodaro for the backup role, especially when considering how well he’s played this week. A must-roster player in dynasty leagues, Maluach would have increased value as a backup in redraft leagues given Williams’ injury history.

Maluach followed up his double-double against the Trail Blazers on Friday with another double-double against the Pelicans on Sunday. The 19-year-old center was +10 in 28 minutes in a six-point loss for the Suns. Maluach continues to look improved in Summer League play.

Maluach and the Suns erased an 18-point deficit on Friday, winning 81-79. Looking stronger than he did at the end of his rookie season, the 7-foot-2 center recorded a double-double in 26 minutes. Maluach was responsible for seven turnovers, some of which were offensive fouls, but the summer is a good opportunity for him to be a featured option offensively. There was also an exit due to discomfort in his right calf, but Maluach was back in action in crunch time.

The 40th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Ighodaro appeared in all 82 games this season, starting 24. The 7-footer’s role expanded when a foot injury sidelined Mark Williams, and that could remain the case in 2026-27 if the Suns were to move on from the former Hornet. However, one would assume that Phoenix would look to upgrade the position if that were the case, and 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach would also be in the mix for more playing time. Ighodaro averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season. That production was not enough to make him much more than a deep-league streamer on nights when Williams was out.

Williams missed Sunday’s Game 1 loss to the Thunder with a sore left foot. Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach combined for zero points in 41 minutes in Williams’ absence. The 24-year-old center remains questionable for Game 2. Ighodaro will likely start again if Williams is ruled out.

Williams will miss a second consecutive game as he continues to deal with a sore left foot. Oso Ighodaro started Friday’s Play-In victory over the Warriors, logging 26 minutes. He’ll take on a similar role for Game 1, while Khaman Maluach may play more than the five minutes that he did the last time out because of Oklahoma City’s interior depth.

After logging 22 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Williams was held out of Friday’s win over the Warriors. Oso Ighodaro played 26 minutes as the starting center, with the Suns going small for extended periods. Given the matchup, there may be more minutes available to Khaman Maluach if Williams remains out.

Maluach hasn’t seen the floor much during his rookie season, but over their last three games, he has played a significant role in two of them. He grabbed 14 rebounds in each, and he averaged 2.5 blocks during them, but he was much better offensively in this one. He set a new career high for scoring and knocked down multiple triples. Maluach won’t turn 20 until September and still has loads of upside. He isn’t ready to contribute for the Suns right now, but he is worth stashing in dynasty formats.

Williams will be sidelined for the season finale, which means Khaman Maluach may make a return to the starting unit. He had 14 rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes as a starter on Wednesday.

The Suns won’t have Mark Williams for Wednesday’s game, an expected development as this is Phoenix’s second game in as many nights. However, it will be Maluach who replaces him in the starting lineup, with Oso Ighodaro remaining with the second unit. The Suns still need to win in order to lock up the seventh seed in the West, but Maluach may get extended run in these final three regular-season games.